AssociateD ARTISTS

I have some pretty talented friends, so let's not gate keep! All of these folks have my trust, seal of approval and are excellent teachers and communicators as well as artists.

I now introduce to you, your team of Associated Artists!

Alecsys Proctor-Turner

BFA Musical Theatre - University of Miami

MFA Acting - Columbia University

https://www.alecsyslyrix.com/

Musical Theatre Repertoire and Vocal Coach

find songs
play with vocal dynamics
acting through song

Alecsys Proctor-Turner (she/her/hers) is a practitioner based in New York, and born and raised in Miami, FL. In the midst of the pandemic in 2020, she received her BFA in Music Theatre from University of Miami (GO CANES!), and in May 2024, received her MFA in Acting from Columbia University. Although Alecsys is a full-time working actor, she also feels that her duty is to pave the way for the generation coming up behind her. She has been doing Musical Theatre since 2nd grade. She is a Double National YoungArts Winner in 2015/2016. You can catch her in her recurring role in Survival of the Thickest Season 2 Only on Netflix. She is represented by CESD and Robyn Bluestone Management.

"I learn the most about acting when I am teaching" - Alecsys

Gillian Abbott

BFA Dance - The Juilliard School

MFA Acting - Columbia University

https://www.gillianabbott.com/

Dance and Mindfulness Coach

choreograph prescreen dances
teach school's choreography
audition prep & mindfulness

Gillian Abbott (she/her) is a Canadian-born artist, educator and life coach. She received her BFA in Dance from The Juilliard School, and her MFA in Acting from Columbia University School of the Arts. Some of her performance credits include: "Baby" in the National Broadway tour of Dirty Dancing, featured artist in Cirque du Soleil's Beatles LOVE show, co-star on HBO'S Boardwalk Empire, and member of choreographer Stacey Tookey’s company, Still Motion. She has taught, directed and choreographed in the MFA Acting program at Columbia University, and choreographed the first ever musical at The Juilliard School. She has been supporting students through the BFA Musical Theatre process for the past two years, creating dances that highlight the individual’s strengths and personality. Using her work as a life coach, she also supports the inner work of these aspiring artists, knowing from her own experience that this is just as important as the outer work. She currently resides in her hometown of Calgary, Alberta, running her business MTN Life Coaching.

Holly Johnson

BM Music Ed. - Shenandoah University

MA Organizational Leadership - Shenandoah University

https://www.hollyjohnsonconsulting.com/

Independent Education Consultant

read and edit college essays
help pick schools
organize the entire admissions process

After 10 years in formal college admissions, I began my own business in 2021 to focus more on what I love the most about this profession- the students/families! My goal when working with every student and family is to meet you where you are and connect as human beings. Regardless of if you're at the start of high school and want to explore course planning, starting to think about college planning as an upper-level student, looking for essay edits, a parent looking for general guidance in how to assist your student throughout this crazy process, or looking for a second set of eyes on a school list, I'm here for YOU! Please don't hesitate to reach out if you'd like to have an initial free consultation conversation. I can't wait to meet you and help you with your collegiate educational goals!

Michael Khalid Karadsheh

BA Media & Cultural Studies - Macalester College

MFA Acting - Columbia University

Email: mkkaradsheh@gmail.com

Instagram: @m_karadsh

Acting Coach

find monologues
coach for auditions and current roles
ongoing private lessons
Languages: English, conversational Arabic

Michael Khalid Karadsheh (he/him) is a New York based actor and graduate of Columbia University’s Acting MFA program. Michael is passionate about helping actors unlock their true and authentic voice in their acting with his personable, text-focused approach to coaching. He was most recently seen in the Off-Broadway world premiere of the musical We Live in Cairo at New York Theater Workshop. Other Off-Broadway credits include the world premiere of Itamar Moses’ play The Ally at The Public Theater, for which he was lauded by Sarah Holdren of New York Magazine as “superb…not only truthful but real, earned and human.” In the summer of 2025, he’ll be staring as Hamlet in St. Louis Shakespeare Festival’s production of Hamlet. TV credits include Freeform’s Everything’s Trash. He is represented by Nicolosi & Co.

Saby Ramirez

BA Acting - Cal State, Long Beach

MFA Acting - Columbia University

Email: sabyannemarie@gmail.com

Instagram: @sabyanamaria

Acting Coach

coach for auditions and current roles
ongoing private lessons
film & tv focus
Languages: English, Spanish

Saby Ramirez (she/her) is an actress based in NYC. She is originally from Long Beach, California. Saby obtained her Bachelor of Arts with an emphasis in Acting at California State University, Long Beach and went on to graduate from Columbia University in the City of New York with her Master of Fine Arts in Acting. Some of her credits include A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Classical Theatre of Harlem), A Retrieved Reformation (Stages on the Sound), and Dance Nation (Lenfest Center for the Arts). She is represented by Principal Entertainment LA. Saby has been the student of notable acting teachers such as Ron Van Lieu, Alexandra Billings, Hugh O’ Gorman, Sita Mani, and James Calleri. Her toolkit is comprised of Meisner, Viewpoints, Chekhov, Fitzmaurice, Feldenkrais, Suzuki, etc. Saby is also an acting teacher and has coached a number of actors for tv, film, and theater auditions. She was invited back to CSULB as a guest instructor where she hosted her Intro to On Camera Auditions workshop. Saby is passionate about helping others unlock and reach their true potential as actors. She hopes to one day create a theater program for her elementary school where kids of underprivileged communities can have an introduction to the performing arts. In her spare time, Saby enjoys salsa dancing, hiking, and playing with cats and dogs whenever she gets the chance.

about me

My training spans from Columbia University (MFA Acting, 2022) and Pace University (BFA Acting, 2012), to The Shakespeare Theatre of NJ (Apprenticeship) and The Atlantic Acting School (Evening Conservatory). At these programs and at other private studios, I’ve worked hands on and in-depth with techniques that cultivate emotional, physical and vocal freedom. Techniques include Alexander Technique, Meisner, Stanislavski, Feldenkrais, Michael Chekhov, Viewpoints, Laban, Linklater, Fitzmaurice, Improv and more.

I’ve had the honor of studying with some of the most innovative and respected acting teachers of our time, including Ron Van Lieu, Scott Zigler, Peter Jay Fernandez, Sita Mani, James Calleri, Bruce Cromer, Ellen Lauren, just to name a few.

As an actor, I have worked at Shakespeare Theatre Company, Mosaic Theatre Company, Virginia Stage Company, Toms River Shakespeare Festival, The Shakespeare Theatre of NJ, Adirondack Shakespeare Company, Punchdrunk (creators of Sleep No More), and many others. On TV, you can catch me on Investigation Discovery’s A Crime To Remember and Nick Jr.’s Team UmiZoomi. Films include countless student and short films over the years in NYC. At Columbia, I’ve been a part of the new play development process for many full length and one act plays.

I offer Coaching Sessions, support and pre-screen recording throughout audition season for high school, undergrad and graduate school auditions. The general goal is to take the pressure off by beginning a young actor's higher education training journey. This results in actors already having the confidence to fail gloriously and be in process, which makes for dynamic and playful exploration in the room. With tons of positive reinforcement from me, actors are already in the good goo and figuring out who they are as artists when it's time to submit pre-screens and do live auditions.

I also offer Private Lessons for persons of any age and skill level who would like to learn technique, develop specifics of their physical instrument and how to think like an actor. Private Lessons are geared towards long term study and growth. They are also a great option for executives and folks who would like to cultivate a dynamic presence and improve public speaking.